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These family faith-building ideas are ready to place into your weekly bulletins or newsletters. Each week’s suggestions coordinate with the Shine curriculum that children and junior youth are studying during their Christian education time. Check with your Christian education coordinator to see which dates your congregation is doing each session. Sessions for this quarter are expected to run from Sunday, March 1, through Sunday, May 24. Sometimes dates change, however, because of special church events.When placing the first Shine bulletin note, add this explanation:Today we are beginning a weekly note for families of children and junior youth who use the Shine curriculum. Each Sunday you will find faith nurture ideas that coordinate with the weekly session plans for your child’s group. For preschool children, use the “For families” section on the Early Childhood leaflet that is sent home.Shine session 1 bulletin note for March 1 FAITH TALK John 4:1–42: “Jesus and the Samaritan woman”Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story.* (1) Read John 4:23–24. I wonder what it means to worship God “in spirit and in truth.” (2) How would life be different if you weren’t able to use any water today? (3) Draw or color a picture of your favorite water source, such as a stream or ocean. On or around the picture, write down things that help you feel content and at peace. Did you know? Globally, people use around 200 billion plastic water bottles each year. Prayer for the week: God, fill us with your love. Only then will we be truly satisfied. Amen. *Preschool children have a “For families” section in the Early Childhood leaflet for the story “A boy shares his lunch.” Shine session 2 bulletin note for March 8 FAITH TALK John 7:53–8:11: “Jesus refuses to cast stones”Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story.* (1) Read John 8:6–8. I wonder what Jesus wrote on the ground. (2) Imagine that your friend did something very hurtful to you. What words or actions could show that you forgive your friend? (3) Use white glue to write “I forgive you” on construction paper. Sprinkle sand over the message. Shake off the excess sand.Did you know? In the 1990s, a monolith (single, massive stone) estimated to weigh 1,242 tons was discovered in an ancient quarry in Baalbek, Lebanon.Prayer for the week: Forgiving God, help us choose love instead of condemnation. Amen.*Preschool children have a “For families” section in the Early Childhood leaflet for the story “Crowds welcome Jesus.” Shine session 3 bulletin note for March 15 FAITH TALK John 11:1–44: “Jesus raises Lazarus”Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” section on the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read John 11:3–6. Have you ever asked someone to do something and the person didn’t do it as quickly as you would have liked? How did you feel? (2) Jesus was “greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.” When have you felt that way? (3) Talk about a sight you wouldn’t have believed unless you had seen it.Do you know? How many times does the Bible record Jesus weeping? (Two: John 11:35 and Luke 19:41)Prayer for the week: God, your love is like the sun, always there even behind clouds. Help us to believe in your love, even when we face hard times. Amen. Shine session 4 bulletin note for March 22 FAITH TALK John 12:1–19: “Mary anoints Jesus” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” page in the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read John 12:3. The nard that Mary poured on Jesus’ feet was worth about a year’s wages. Do you own anything that costs a year’s wages? (2) When have you received a gift that made you feel special? (3) Make a meal or a gift for someone to show your love.Do you know? Nard comes from a plant that grows in the foothills of what mountain range? <The Himalayas>Prayer for the week: God, we welcome you into our hearts and home. Amen.Shine session 5 bulletin note for March 29 FAITH TALK Matthew 26:1–5, 14–30: “The Last Supper” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” section on the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Matthew 26:26–28. What did Jesus offer to the disciples to symbolize his body and blood? (2) Silently tell God things you are sorry for. Receive God’s loving forgiveness by saying to each other, “God loves and forgives you.” (3) Eat pita bread and drink grape juice to remember Jesus’ last supper. Add hummus or falafel and plain yogurt. Did you know? What Jewish festival did Jesus celebrate at the Last Supper? <Passover>Prayer for the week: Thank you, God, that you forgive us no matter what we do. We rest in your love. Amen. Shine session 6 bulletin note for April 5 FAITH TALK Matthew 26:36–27:66: “Jesus’ arrest and death”Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” section on the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Matthew 27:55–61. Notice the family members and friends who were there when Jesus died and was buried. (2) At his arrest, Jesus told a friend to put away his sword. Why didn’t Jesus want people to fight for him? (3) Judas was paid for leading soldiers to arrest Jesus. Lay out thirty silver coins and think quietly about the love Jesus showed to others.Did you know? What did Roman soldiers say when Jesus died? Unscramble the words: lyurT isht nam saw oGd’s noS. <Truly this man was God’s Son.>Prayer for the week: God, help us follow your way of love. Amen. Shine session 7 bulletin note for April 12 FAITH TALK Matthew 28:1–10: “Jesus is risen!”Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” section on the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Matthew 28:1–10. What comforting words did both the angel and Jesus say to the women? (2) Take a walk outside to look for signs of new life. (3) Reenact the story. Be sure to include the earthquake, descending angel, shaking guards, women worshiping Jesus, and then the women running to tell the good news. Did you know? The date of Easter can vary between March 22 and April 25.Prayer for the week: Risen Christ, we celebrate the joyful news of resurrection. Alleluia! Amen.Shine session 8 bulletin note for April 19 FAITH TALK Genesis 16:1–15; 21:8–21: “God hears Hagar and Ishmael” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” page in the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Genesis 21:17–19 together. Tell about times you cried out for God’s help. (3) Hagar and Ishmael became very thirsty. Eat a salty food then drink water. (3) Pray for children around the world who are in need of rescue. Did you know? Women like Hagar still search for water. What is the average distance that women in Asia and Africa walk to collect water? <4 mi / 6 km>Prayer for the week: God, help us reach out to people who are suffering. Amen. Shine session 9 bulletin note for April 26 FAITH TALK Exodus 1:1–2:10: “Moses is born” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” page in the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Exodus 2:1–10. Why do you think Pharaoh’s daughter took Moses as her son? (2) Moses’ life was rescued because of a number of brave women. Who is the bravest woman you have known? (3) Search online for pictures of the Egyptian papyrus plant. Did you know? In ancient Egypt, what was the papyrus plant used to make? <baskets, boats, rope, paper, mats, and sandals>Prayer for the week: God, when we are afraid, give us the courage we need. Amen. Shine session 10 bulletin note for May 3 FAITH TALK Leviticus 25:8–55: “Jubilee” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” page in the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Leviticus 25:14–16. Imagine a world where everyone practiced honesty. (2) Talk about something you share as a family, such as a special toy or electronic device. How do you share fairly? (3) Biblical Jubilee meant caring for the land and sharing with each other. Buy fresh produce at a farmer’s market and take it to an older friend who can’t get out easily. Did you know? The word jubilee comes from the Hebrew word yobhel which means ram.Prayer for the week: God, be close to those who don’t have enough to eat, a place to live, or a loving family to care for them. Amen. Shine session 11 bulletin note for May 10 FAITH TALK Matthew 6:25–34: “Don’t worry” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. (1) Read Matthew 6:25–26. Do you feel that you are more valuable than the birds? Why or why not? (2) Jesus also talked about the beauty of lilies. Tell about your favorite flower. (3) Participate together in NestWatch or some other citizen science project.Did you know? The world’s largest flower, Rafflesia arnoldii, is found in the rainforests of Indonesia. It grows to a diameter of 3 feet /1 metre!Prayer for the week God, sometimes we are stuck in our worries. (Clench fists.) Help us trust you instead. Amen. (Slowly open your hands, palms up.)Shine session 12 bulletin note for May 17 FAITH TALK Mark 9:33–37: “True greatness”Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” section on the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Mark 9:35–37. How can we be “first” in serving others? (2) Jesus’ disciples argued about greatness. What does your family argue about? (3) Look at pictures of when you were young children. What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me?” Did you know? Children have played games for centuries. For example, archeologists found a 5,000 year old backgammon board in southeastern Iran. Prayer for the week: God, help us to trust you and show our love. Thank you that Jesus welcomed and blessed children. Amen.Shine session 13 bulletin note for May 24 FAITH TALK Matthew 25:31–46: “Caring for those in need” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. For preschool children, use the “For families” section on the Early Childhood leaflet. (1) Read Matthew 25:34–36. Which act of service would be easiest for you to do? (2) Tell about a time when you were a stranger or in a new situation. Who welcomed you? (3) Make food to share with a neighbor or donate food to a local food pantry. Did you know? What do both sheep and goats dislike? <getting their feet wet>Prayer for the week: God, help us to be generous with our time, love, and money. Amen. ................
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